What fighting style to take up?

I've already answered this ad nauseam several times. And I've been in a lot more than one or two street fights

You will find many different opinions about this topic if you ask around. 

One guy I know who has a martial arts studio of his own and trains law enforcement in self-defense told me that if I want to compete then join an MMA gym, if not, then learn Krav Maga. 

I work with a few guys who are low-level MMA pros.  One of them told me that boxing is all I need for the street.  Another, who has trained in MMA (boxing, muay thai, bjj, wrestling) and Krav Maga told me that Krav is useless unless you first learn how to punch and kick, etc.  I've personally seen this guy fight on the street, and he hasn't lost--this includes a 6-on-1 situation where he took out the first 3 guys and the other 3 walked away. 

I trained in BJJ for a year several years ago.  Its fun as a sport, but it's no good on the street (unless you use the techniques from Gracie Combatives which include stand up) because if the guy's friends get to you before you submit him, they'll soccer kick your head in.  Recently I've taken up boxing and muay thai, and so far its given me much more confidence than BJJ.

Ask MW himself.  He's trained in martial arts and has been in a street fight or two. 

Archangel wrote:

You will find many different opinions about this topic if you ask around. 

One guy I know who has a martial arts studio of his own and trains law enforcement in self-defense told me that if I want to compete then join an MMA gym, if not, then learn Krav Maga. 

I work with a few guys who are low-level MMA pros.  One of them told me that boxing is all I need for the street.  Another, who has trained in MMA (boxing, muay thai, bjj, wrestling) and Krav Maga told me that Krav is useless unless you first learn how to punch and kick, etc.  I've personally seen this guy fight on the street, and he hasn't lost--this includes a 6-on-1 situation where he took out the first 3 guys and the other 3 walked away. 

I trained in BJJ for a year several years ago.  Its fun as a sport, but it's no good on the street (unless you use the techniques from Gracie Combatives which include stand up) because if the guy's friends get to you before you submit him, they'll soccer kick your head in.  Recently I've taken up boxing and muay thai, and so far its given me much more confidence than BJJ.

Ask MW himself.  He's trained in martial arts and has been in a street fight or two. 

I know there is no elite style, and I would be interested in learning a lot of different styles in the future. What i'm really looking for is the best choice as a beginner with no fighting experience, something that can make me more effective than your average joe in all aspects. From what your saying, BJJ seems out of the picture. My buddy does Muy Thai so I'll probably check that out with him soon. 

Personally, in a street fight id rather elbow or knee somebody than punch with my fist and break my hand. 'Muay thai

Look up a private boxing coach in your area. I pay my trainer, an ex-pro heavyweight, 20-30 a session. And he makes me lethal. You will never become proficient at muy thai going with your buddy at whatever point you plan to do that which is probably pie in the sky you aren't actually going to do it this whole post was just a bid for attention 'cuz you're a faggot. Learn boxing first, get a dude that knows what's up who's actually strict on your technique and you will be pretty sharp in 2-3 months if you train once or twice a week. Muy thai in a group setting is mental masturbation, but even learning it with a private coach.. it's too much to try to get down. Too many new body dynamics that frankly most coaches don't have the patience for with a novice. 

Cholo wrote:

Personally, in a street fight id rather elbow or knee somebody than punch with my fist and break my hand. 'Muay thai

Muay thai still throws punches more than any other strike. Generally you cant just elbow and knee people from the outside youre going to have to set up those strikes with punches.

Also Id rather knock someone out and break my hand than get my ass kicked cause im only trying to fight with my knees and elbows. Theyre very close range strikes and will limit your movement if you use them only.

TrickAssMark wrote:

Cholo wrote:

Personally, in a street fight id rather elbow or knee somebody than punch with my fist and break my hand. 'Muay thai

Muay thai still throws punches more than any other strike. Generally you cant just elbow and knee people from the outside youre going to have to set up those strikes with punches.

Also Id rather knock someone out and break my hand than get my ass kicked cause im only trying to fight with my knees and elbows. Theyre very close range strikes and will limit your movement if you use them only.

Im not saying you should never use your hands, its just better to have more weapons in your arsenal, for every range. Do you train muay thai man? 

Meow wrote:

Archangel wrote:

You will find many different opinions about this topic if you ask around. 

One guy I know who has a martial arts studio of his own and trains law enforcement in self-defense told me that if I want to compete then join an MMA gym, if not, then learn Krav Maga. 

I work with a few guys who are low-level MMA pros.  One of them told me that boxing is all I need for the street.  Another, who has trained in MMA (boxing, muay thai, bjj, wrestling) and Krav Maga told me that Krav is useless unless you first learn how to punch and kick, etc.  I've personally seen this guy fight on the street, and he hasn't lost--this includes a 6-on-1 situation where he took out the first 3 guys and the other 3 walked away. 

I trained in BJJ for a year several years ago.  Its fun as a sport, but it's no good on the street (unless you use the techniques from Gracie Combatives which include stand up) because if the guy's friends get to you before you submit him, they'll soccer kick your head in.  Recently I've taken up boxing and muay thai, and so far its given me much more confidence than BJJ.

Ask MW himself.  He's trained in martial arts and has been in a street fight or two. 

I know there is no elite style, and I would be interested in learning a lot of different styles in the future. What i'm really looking for is the best choice as a beginner with no fighting experience, something that can make me more effective than your average joe in all aspects. From what your saying, BJJ seems out of the picture. My buddy does Muy Thai so I'll probably check that out with him soon. 

Look into what is available in your area.  Look at the class schedule.  Compare it to your schedule.  Look at the cost and what you have to spend? 

How long does it take to drive there?  See if they offer guest passes or a free trial period.  The BJJ place I went to before was $200+ per month, so they gave an entire month trial period. 

Go to the trial period or free classes and get a feel for the instructors and the other students.

Look up a private boxing coach in your area. I pay my trainer, an ex-pro heavyweight, 20-30 a session. And he makes me lethal. You will never become proficient at muy thai going with your buddy at whatever point you plan to do that which is probably pie in the sky you aren't actually going to do it this whole post was just a bid for attention 'cuz you're a faggot. Learn boxing first, get a dude that knows what's up who's actually strict on your technique and you will be pretty sharp in 2-3 months if you train once or twice a week. Muy thai in a group setting is mental masturbation, but even learning it with a private coach.. it's too much to try to get down. Too many new body dynamics that frankly most coaches don't have the patience for with a novice. 

I started with wrestling as a kid, moved into Judo, then BJJ, then Boxing and eventually Kickboxing. Now I'm able to mix it all up and compete in MMA but I still take the classes individually as opposed to a lame-ass "MMA" class.. whatever the fuck that is.